[Tolerance and pharmacologic effectiveness of antiglaucoma eyedrops]

The beta-blocking agent carteolol hydrochloride differs slightly from other beta-blockers by its intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Its effect on intraocular pressure and heart rate was tested in a comparison with timolol maleate, as was subjective tolerance of it, in 28 eyes (14 subjects) with either ocular hypertension or simple chronic open-angle glaucoma. The two drugs had a similar effect on intraocular pressure; both were well tolerated subjectively. Carteolol lowered heart rate more in patients with higher heart rates, while timolol lowered it more in patients with lower heart rates.